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Frances Tolson, Rijk Zwaan, NSW, Steve Marafiote, Sundrop Farms, SA, Frank Cavelier, Sundrop Farms, SA and Sam Kim, Rijk Zwaan, Qld. Rijk Zwaan seeds are the result of intense breeding programs to ensure quality outcomes for customers. The business offers vegetable seed sales, research and development, and seed production. Working with growers, retailers and processing companies, Rijk Zwaan continually exchanges ideas to drive the development of vegetables, product lines and concepts aligned to market needs. In addition, it closely collaborates with research institutes and universities.

Duncan Lamont, Enza Zaden, Qld at the trade show ready to assist visitors with questions about the company's range of seed varieties suitable for protected cropping production. Besides an international vegetable-breeding company, Enza Zaden is also an independent family business. For three generations, an entrepreneurial spirit, long-term vision and focus on innovation have characterised the company’s distinctive features and healthy growth. 

Phil Tucker, NSW drumMUSTER regional consultant and Allan McGann, national drumMUSTER Manager, helping delegates to deal with unwanted chemical containers and product. The national product stewardship program is supported by agvet chemical manufacturers, industry stakeholders which includes member and farming associations, state and local governments.

The Transplant Systems team of Andrew Harford, Victoria and Malcolm Calder. Mr Calder said it was excellent attending the PCA Conference and, as the rain came down many invigorating conversations were held. "We were honoured to be an exhibitor at the conference. Transplant Systems provides customers with a trouble-free experience in the procurement, supply and installation of protected cropping nursery, forestry and field machinery equipment and solutions from the point of germination to the final planted position. The company implements the respected brands of Urbinati, TTA, Demtec, and KG Systems which collectively hold years of research and development. The horticulture industry is unique. It’s progressive and the demand for constant high-quality plant varieties continues to grow," he said. 

Antelco sales and marketing manager Alan White and national product manager Adam Marling attending the 2022 PCA Conference in Coffs Harbour. Australian owned and operated, Antelco has been in the irrigation game for more than 37 years. With a focus on sustainable solutions that can meet the challenge of managing finite water resources, Antelco creates quality and cost-effective micro irrigation products. Mr White and Mr Marling met with distributors, suppliers, and growers to showcase the best of Antelco’s product range and demonstrate its value in protective crop applications.

Henrietta Child, SA and Tony Drake, SA from AgPick Technology at the PCA Conference. AgPick Technology was established in South Australia in 2017 in response to a need for harvesting efficiency and accountability in the horticultural sector. Its flagship product, AgPick, is at the forefront of global picking technologies. AgPick employs RFID technology to capture data at the source and has the ability to read QR codes, bar codes, NFC and UHF individual tags as well as mixing and matching workflows to tailor user experience. AgPick Technology’s new GPS-based tree crop app, AgPick Orchard is now in the testing phase. Trials are available on request by emailing info@agpick.com.

Harvest Trail Information Service state managers, Kristy Banks (Qld/NT) and Julian Banks (Vic/WA) enjoying the opportunity to once again connect with horticulture employers in need of labour.

Rivulis district sales representative for Northern NSW and Southern Qld, Gerry Clancy with plenty of information for protected cropping clients. Rivulis offers a wide range of greenhouse irrigation solutions for both soil and soilless applications featuring the leading Supertif product line with the broadest array of Pressure Compensating (PC) and PCND (Pressure Compensating Non-Drain) options. We offer complete turnkey projects for all of your irrigation challenges. Rivulis provides expertise throughout all project stages including design, planning, logistics, installation, training and support.

There is plenty of information at Biological Services for those interested in integrated pest management systems. 

Nicolas Srour, Ace Ohlsson Produce, Jess Williams, HM Clause and Graham Adams, HM Clause. 

Always keen to talk greenhouses is the Greenlife Structures team. 

Nicolas Srour and Vadakekuttu at the Prodoz stand, set to talk plant nutrition. 

Delegates ready to tune in to the information sessions. 

PCA chair Matt Plunkett gets things rolling at the conference in Coffs Harbour, NSW.

IT was very wet at Coffs Harbour during the 2022 Protected Cropping Australia Conference but inside the trade display, there were warm welcomes and dry handshakes.

Held at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pacificbayresort/" target="_self">Pacific Bay Resort</a> from March 28 to 31, the event gave those involved in the industry the opportunity to come together and connect, while also hearing from high profile speakers.

Apart from the many exhibitors within the display, there was also a training event for local growers covering irrigation and integrated pest management, plus information sessions covering a vast array of topics. 

Also in the opening session, student R&amp;D projects from <a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/" target="_blank">Western Sydney University</a> were presented in person by the students giving an insight into their work.

The <a href="https://protectedcropping.net.au/" target="_blank">PCA</a> 2023 will be hosted in Brisbane.

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Photos show Protected Cropping Australia Conference trade display in action

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